First molecular characterization of Sarcocystis neurona causing meningoencephalitis in a domestic cat in Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Sarcocystis neurona is the main agent associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Apart from horses, S. neurona has been occasionally described causing neurologic disease in several other terrestrial animals as well as mortality in marine mammals. Herein, we describe the clinical, pathological, and molecular findings of a fatal case of S. neurona-associated meningoencephalitis in a domestic cat. The causing agent was analyzed by multilocus genotyping, confirming the presence of S. neurona DNA in the tissue samples of the affected animal. Significant molecular differences were found in relation to S. neurona isolates detected in other regions of the Americas. In addition, the parasite was identical to Sarcocystis sp. identified in opossum sporocysts in Brazil at molecular leve

SUBMITTER: Hammerschmitt ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7088143 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature